MSU Women's Basketball Report

Buer sits out

Senior guard Karly Buer watched Tuesday's game from the bench after suffering a knee injury Sunday in practice.

Buer, who had played in every game of her Missouri State career until Tuesday, declined to comment on the severity of the injury, as did acting head coach Jon Harper.

"She's going to be out, so we've got to figure out what to do. Obviously our thoughts are with her and getting her better, whatever that means," Harper said.

Harper then made a reference to Sunday's men's game, which saw Bears Marcus Marshall and Keith Pickens go down with knee injuries against Hampton.

"Sunday wasn't a real good day for knees around here apparently," he said.

Harper said a statement on Buer's health would be released soon.

Baby news

It was a bit of a strange scene in the postgame press conference as Jon Harper accepted congratulations on the new baby before and after talking about MSU's loss.

But it was easy to see that Harper was a proud and excited - and tired - father.

"Poor little guy's got a cone head, but we'll work that out. He's got a good head of hair on him too. The nurses were cleaning him up and put his hair into a Mohawk, and at first Kellie was mad. But then she saw how cute it was and she was OK with it," Jon Harper said.

"I practiced swaddling," he continued. "I wasn't as good as the nurses, but I'm better today than I was yesterday."

More baby news

Jon Harper said there is not yet a timetable for when Kellie Harper will return to the sideline.

"When I left this morning we weren't anywhere near ready to make that decision," Jon Harper said. "Our initial plan kind of went out the window. But we'll figure it out."

The Lady Bears' next media availability will be Monday. It was not yet known if Kellie Harper would be back at practice by that time.

Even more baby news

Jon Harper did say the baby will do some travelling with the team, but not right away.

"We'll have to see what the doctor says," he said. "That little guy's going to be well-traveled, I'll tell you that. As soon as the doctor says he can go, he's coming with us."

Up Next

The rugged nonconference schedule reaches perhaps its toughest stretch for the Lady Bears with a trip to national runner-up Louisville on Dec. 3.

The Cardinals, ranked third in the USA Today Coaches' poll and fourth in the AP top 25, are 6-0. Glendale graduate Megan Deines is a key reserve for Louisville.